ALDERTON’S ELM

They’ve felled the elm

That was my joy in summer calm

(If my dread in winter storm).

Now I profess little knowledge

Of aesthetics –

Still less of country planning.

Discussions of

Beauty I leave to academics,

Cost analysis to the clerk.

But this I do know;

They’ve felled the elm

That was my joy in summer calm

(If my dread in winter storm)...

And a familiar landmark

Hurts by its absence.

Copyright Michael Newman